QHotels opens vocational Chef Academy
QHotels has launched its own Chef Academy, offering young chefs the chance to gain experience working in the company’s portfolio of UK-based hotels.
Aimed at 16-24 year olds, the academy has been launched in conjunction with VT Training and sponsored by Platinum Recruitment, offering a programme that is different from ‘a straightforward apprenticeship programme.’
“A variety of tailored modules have been specifically designed to give the apprentice chefs a broader knowledge of the industry, as well as fire their imaginations and inspire them in their chosen career,” said Gareth Griffiths-Horton, VT Training’s national account manager. “It goes over and above regular training.”
As well as undertaking hands-on work experience in the QHotels kitchens, the apprentices will also take part in several professional workshops that will allow them to interact with suppliers and work with raw materials, at sites such as Smithfield and Spitalfields markets.
Sarah Hoskin, group training manager at QHotels, said: “Over the last year QHotels has conducted some extensive recruitment and retention research, which highlighted a skills shortage within the catering sector. As a result we set about thinking of a way in which we could ensure that QHotels is both growing and retaining its own chefs of the future, and as a result this academy has been born.”
QHotels, who operate 21 hotels across the UK, will run the Chef Academy over the next 14 months when its first 10 apprentices will graduate.
